Longboat Red Tide update

Users are advised to use due care to minimize irritation and symptoms related to red tide aerosols. The Town’s general cleanup efforts will be based on Public Works assessments of concentration levels of dead sea-life, weather conditions including tidal action wind speed and direction, and bloom conditions.

On September 20, the Florida Department of Health issued and later lifted a “no swim” advisory for Longboat Key beaches. Unsatisfactory levels of enterococcus were found in the water. The advisory was soon lifted.

Daily Update

September 26 – The Public Works crew will continue monitoring conditions along the gulf and bay side.

Beaches show little to no accumulations of dead sea life.

At this time, canals on the south end of the island are showing mild accumulations. Dead sea life accumulations in these areas continue to shift with tidal action and wind direction. All other canals are showing minimal to no accumulations.

Due to the ephemeral and changing nature of the dead sea-life accumulations day-to-day, we will continue to monitor conditions and deploy resources as deemed necessary.

September 25 – The Public Works crew continued monitoring conditions along the gulf and bay side. Beaches continue to show favorable conditions relative to dead sea life accumulations. Canals on the south end of the island are showing mild accumulations. All other canals are showing minimal to no accumulations.

September 24– The Public Works crew continued monitoring conditions along the gulf and bay side.

September 21– The Public Works crew worked to clear the gulf side starting near the 5200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive (GMD) moving north completing up to the 6600 block of GMD. The Public Works crew also worked to clear gulf side starting near the 2200 block of GMD moving south to the Longboat Key Club. The Public Works crew also cleared the Linley Street public boat ramp. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 09/21/18: 15,000 lbs.

September 20th – The Public Works crew worked to clear the gulf side starting near the 2300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive (GMD) moving north to approximately the 5200 block of GMD.The crew was also successful in clearing the Linley Street public boat ramp this morning. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 09/20/18: 3,100 lbs.

September 19th – Overall, dead sea life accumulations on Longboat Key remain minimal-to-mild. Staff will continue removing large fish that come ashore from the gulf side, as needed, and will continue monitoring conditions along both the gulf and bay side.

September 18th – Staff continued monitoring conditions along both the gulf and bay side in observing minimal to mild accumulations.

September 17th – Staff will continue monitoring conditions along both the gulf and bay side.

September 14th – The island continues to remain in good condition relative to odor and dead sea life accumulations. Staff will continue monitoring conditions along both the gulf and bay side.

September 13th – Staff will continue monitoring conditions along both the gulf and bay side.

September 12th – Staff will continue monitoring conditions along both the gulf and bay side. The island continues to be in good condition relative to odor and dead sea life accumulations.

September 11th – Staff continued monitoring gulf and bay side conditions as the island remains in good condition relative to odor and dead sea life accumulations.

September 10th – Staff will continue to monitor both the gulf and bay side today as the island continues to be in good condition relative to odor and dead sea life accumulations.

September 7th – Staff continued to monitor both the gulf and bay side today. Overall, the island continues to be in good condition relative to odor and dead sea life accumulations.

September 6th – The island appears to be in good condition relative to odor and dead sea life accumulations. Staff willcontinue to monitor both the gulf and bay side.

Due to the ephemeral and changing nature of the dead sea-life accumulations day-to-day, we will continue to monitor conditions and deploy resources as deemed necessary.

September 5th–The Public Works crew completed work to clear targeted canals containing the highest concentrations of dead sea life accumulations mid key. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 09/05/18: 620 lbs

September 4th – The Public Works crew worked to clear the Linley Street public boat ramp today while continuing to monitor various locations island-wide. Overall, the island appears to be in good condition relative to odor and dead sea life accumulations.

August 31st – Staff will continue to monitor both the gulf and bay side today and through the weekend, allowing time for the tides and winds to either accumulate more of or more favorably, remove existing dead sea-life accumulations.

August 30th – The Public Works crew worked to clear the Linley Street public boat ramp today while continuing to monitor various locations island-wide.

August 29th –The Public Works crew completed work to clear targeted canals containing the highest concentrations of dead sea life accumulations mid key. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 08/29/18: approximately 1,000 lbs

August 28th – Clearing efforts today continued on the gulf side. The Public Works crew was successful in clearing areas from the 2000 block of GMD south. This completes our second clearing of the full gulf side.Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 08/28/18: approximately 1,800 lbs

August 27th – Clearing efforts today continued on the gulf side. The Public Works crew deployed at the Broadway public beach access and were successful in clearing areas from that section north. The crew was also successful in mobilizing at the Bayfront Park public beach access clearing south to the 2000 block of GMD. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 08/27/18: 4,000 lbs

August 24th – The Public Works crew worked to clear dead sea life accumulations gulf side starting near Bayfront Park heading north to Gulfside Road. Staff was successful in clearing the full length of this stretch today. Staff will continue to monitor conditions over the weekend and a plan of action will be determined Monday depending on conditions. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 08/24/18: 9,760 lbs

August 23rd – The Public Works crew worked to clear dead sea life accumulations in mid key canals.Per assessments, we plan to deploy our crew gulf side tomorrow. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 08/23/18: 3,300 lbs

August 22nd – Dead sea life accumulations in the canals are in constant motion due to wind direction and tidal action. To provide relief, Public Works will deploy a canal clearing crew Thursday during high tide accumulation to capture as much as possible from targeted canals. Today’s assessments of areas with the highest concentrations of dead sea life accumulations will be used to determine starting location. Next week’s weather forecast indicate easterly winds, which may cause additional accumulations in the canals. Public Works is planning to address as well. We will also be assessing the gulf side for further action as needed.

August 21st – Public Works is planning to deploy bay side canal clearing crew later this week. Observations have shown dead sea life accumulations gathering in various canals.

August 20th – Staff continues to monitor both the gulf and bay side allowing time for the tides and winds to either accumulate more of, or more favorably, remove existing dead sea-life accumulations. Clearing activities will be based upon accumulation rates and locations as needed.

August 17th – The Public Works crew worked to clear areas along the gulf side starting near the 700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive working south. The crew was successful in clearing the entire ten-mile stretch of beach to include both public and private areas over the course of the week. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 08/17/18: 6,300 lbs.

August 16th – The Public Works crew worked to clear areas along the gulf side starting near the 2000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive working south. The crew was successful in clearing areas up to the 700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 08/16/18: 13,900 lbs.

August 15th – The Public Works crew worked to clear areas along the gulf side starting near the 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive working south. The crew was successful in clearing areas up to the 2000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 08/15/18: 14,320 lbs.

August 14th – The Public Works crew worked to clear areas along the gulf side starting near the 5800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive working south. The crew was successful in clearing areas up to the upper 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 08/14/18: 50,520 lbs.

August 13th – The Public Works crew worked to clear areas along the gulf side starting at northern end of the island working south. The crew was successful in clearing areas starting at the north end of the island moving south to the 5800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Total amount of dead sea-life and materials collected 08/13/18: 47,400 lbs.

August 10th – Staff will continue to monitor both the gulf and bay side today and through the weekend, allowing time for the tides and winds to either accumulate more of or more favorably, remove existing dead sea-life accumulations. Gulf side clean up is planned to begin early-to-mid next week unless conditions suggest otherwise. Turtle monitoring clearance is required for each daily clearing activity.

August 9th – Public Works staff performed assessments on various locations island wide. Currently, due to wind direction and tidal action the bay side canals show very mild concentrations of dead sea-life. While south westerly winds have slightly increased the presence of dead sea-life on the gulf side resulting in mild concentrations and some areas with moderate concentrations of dead sea-life.

August 8th – The Public Works crew worked to clear an additional fourteen canals on the south end of the island (bayside). Areas included canals on the north side of Halyard Lane heading north to the north side of Harbor Gate Way. Total amount of dead sea-life collected 08/08/18: 940 lbs.

August 7th – The Public Works crew worked to clear nine canals on the south end of the island (bayside). Areas included canals on the south side of Ketch Lane heading north to the south side of Halyard Lane.Total amount of dead sea-life collected 08/07/18: 7,400 lbs.

August 6th – The Public Works crew worked to clear an area near the Linley Street public boat rampThe crew will continue move to other public areas of the Town based on daily assessments, focusing on areas with higher concentrations of dead sea-life. Total amount of dead sea-life collected 08/06/18: 3,960 lbs.